Latina conference stresses tradition in rite of passage

As traditional Quinceanera waltz music danced around the room, 14 Latina girls quietly scribbled their hopes and dreams on butterfly cutouts.

Then, on images of cocoons, the girls wrote the challenges they will have to overcome to reach their goals. Challenges the girls noted included earning a higher grade-point average or a spot on a sports team.

The activity, held at the University of Northern Colorado, was part of a presentation on importance of abstinence and the traditional Quinceanera ceremony.

The presentation was part of a three-day Latina conference sponsored by the Girl Scouts Mountain Prairie Council and the Weld County health department.

“The focus of the conference is to see the girls walk out of here tomorrow more comfortable in their own skin,” said Tanya Trujillo-Martinez, recruitment specialist for the Girl Scouts.

The girls, aged 10 to 17, came from throughout Colorado.

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Griselda Archuleta-Still, abstinence coordinator for the health department, gave an hour-long presentation on the consequences of pre-marital sex and the significance of the traditional Quinceanera ceremony.

A Quinceanera is a rite of passage for 15-year-old Latina girls. Before the celebration, Latina girls’ families traditionally have expected the girls to be responsible, focus on education, not wear makeup, date or have sex.

Archuleta-Still said some of the traditions associated with Quinceanera have been lost or distorted, and many girls today just think of it as a big party. She hopes educating girls about the importance of these traditions will urge them to abstain from all risky behaviors and live up to their families’ expectations.

Maria Garcia, 17, of Greeley said the presentation was good because it shows young girls that losing their virginity is a big issue.

“I think it’s important because when girls get pregnant they don’t just do that to themselves, but they do that to our whole race,” Garcia said.